Letter to the Editor: Enough Already

ANN TAU, San Clemente

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn,” said Alvin Toffler

For weeks, we have been divided into two groups: essential and non-essential. The non-essentials were told that in order to avoid overburdening our health care system, it would be necessary to shelter-in-place.

Now, after more than six weeks, we have 33½ million people out of work. Those in power have graciously been given more than enough time. It’s now time to allow everyone who is healthy, willing and able, to go back to work.

In my book, we are all essential, we all have families to feed and financial obligations to meet. Enough already.

I greatly admire and appreciate the health care workers who are being exposed to the virus and doing an amazing job. They are not the only heroes. All who have sacrificed their livelihoods and had to close businesses and wait, knowing that mortgages and all other financial obligations do not wait—these people are heroes, too.

It angers me when people are called “selfish” who just want to get back to work and provide for their families. By now, the ones who should be called “selfish” are the ones that demand to be given even more time (and control).

Going forward, those who have underlying health issues and the elderly can be protected; they are the ones who should continue to shelter-in-place. In my book, we are all heroes. Enough already.

At this moment in our history, if I were to advise a child on a career path, in order to avoid income interruption, I would advise them to choose a profession that the government considers essential. 

Unfortunately, this essential drive would lead to a very lopsided culture, and we all would be losers, essential or not.

Many want to be guaranteed their safety. My God. Have you never heard the saying “there are no guarantees in life”?

Well, now you have, and it’s true; there are no guarantees in life. 

Enough already